Message from our Executive Director
Celebrating a Milestone: Back 2 School America Reaches 400,000 Kits and >12 Million School Supplies Donated!
It is with immense pride and gratitude that Back 2 School America celebrates a remarkable achievement: the distribution of 400,000 school supply kits, containing 12 million individual supplies, to students across the nation. This milestone not only represents the hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteers but also the generosity of our sponsors, partners, and supporters who share our commitment to empowering children and strengthening communities through education.
For years, Back 2 School America has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap for families in need, ensuring that students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed in school. This latest accomplishment is a testament to the transformative power of collective action, highlighting what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also look to the future, concentrating our efforts to expand our impact and reach even more students in the years to come. Every kit we distribute is a step toward closing the educational inequality gap, and we are more committed than ever to making a lasting difference in the lives of students across the country.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has supported us on this journey, from our passionate volunteers and donors to the schools and organizations that help us reach those in need. Together, we are helping to shape a brighter future for the next generation.
Cheers to 400,000 kits, 12 million+ supplies, and countless smiles — the best is yet to come!
Warm regards,
Bernadette Shanahan-Haas | Executive Director
Help Us Build Futures: Meet Up at the Proud to Build-A-Kit Event 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
In just a few weeks, Back 2 School America will come together with sponsors, volunteers, and allies for our upcoming Proud to Build-a-Kit event, to take place at the Center on Halsted in the Northalsted neighborhood. This initiative celebrates diversity, inclusion, and community and will bring together neighbors, volunteers, and corporate partners to assemble hundreds of Back 2 School kits filled with essential school supplies for underserved students across the Chicagoland area.
Date: Friday, October 18, 2024
Time: 12:00-4:00 pm; Cocktail Reception: 4:00-6:00 pm
Location: Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago
Proud to Build-a-Kit is not just about assembling school kits; it’s about making a meaningful impact in the lives of students and educators. By partnering with the Center on Halsted, one of the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ+ community centers, we aim to foster a spirit of inclusion and community solidarity.
Volunteers will work together to pack the kits, which will be distributed to schools, community centers, and students in need, ensuring they are prepared for success in the classroom. Attendees will also have the chance to write personalized “Notes of Inspiration,” included in every kit, to encourage students as they begin their academic journeys.
This event is part of Back 2 School America’s ongoing commitment to supporting students, teachers, and families through initiatives that inspire confidence, ignite curiosity, and build a foundation for lifelong learning.
For more information on how to participate or donate, please visit b2sa.org/proud
Get Involved TODAY!
National Louis Launches New Teacher Support Program
Welcome to our new higher education partner, National Louis University, to our Education Corner, and to the B2SA community!
NLU is a nonprofit university based in Chicagoland, serving students across the U.S. and the globe – renowned for their pioneering efforts in early childhood education. They continue to innovate in teacher prep and most recently launched a teacher induction program to provide additional mentorship to NLU graduates starting their first year in the classroom.
Small Event, Big Results: Join Our Fall In-House Build-A-Kit Event
On Friday, October 11, at our Back 2 School America headquarters in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, we’re hosting another Mini Build-A-Kit event, so if you’re short on time but still like to make a difference, this would be your chance to directly impact students in need in just a few hours. Unlike our larger kit-building events, our Mini Build-A-Kit event is a focused, hands-on opportunity for a smaller group of volunteers to come together and assemble school supply kits.
Although the event is mini in size, the impact is very meaningful!
- Date: Friday, October 11, 2024
- Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT
- Location: Back 2 School America HQ – 1946 W Irving Park Rd. (2nd Floor), Chicago
